Proverbs 29

1 Sudden perishing shall come [up]on that man, that with hard noll, that is, (with) an obstinate soul, despiseth a blamer (despiseth a rebuker); and health shall not follow him.

2 The commonality shall be glad in the multiplying of just men; when wicked men have taken princehood, the people shall wail. (The community shall be glad when the righteous rule; but when the wicked rule, then the people shall wail.)

3 A man that loveth wisdom, maketh glad his father; but he that nourisheth a strumpet, shall lose his chattel. (A man who loveth wisdom, maketh his father glad; but he who feedeth a whore, shall lose his possessions.)

4 A just king raiseth [up] the land; an avaricious man shall destroy it.

5 A man that speaketh by flattering and feigned words to his friend, spreadeth abroad a net to his steps.

6 A snare shall wrap a wicked man doing sin; and a just man shall praise, and make joy. (A snare shall enwrap the wicked doing sin; but the righteous shall give praise, and make joy in their lives.)

7 A just man knoweth the cause of poor men; and an unpious man knoweth not knowing. (The righteous know of the concerns of the poor; but the wicked do not care to know.)

8 Men full of pestilence destroy a city; but wise men turn away strong vengeance.

9 If a wise man striveth with a fool, whether he be wroth, or laugh, he shall not find rest.

10 Men-quellers hate a simple man; but just men seek his soul. (Murderers hate honest people; but the righteous seek them out.)

11 A fool bringeth forth all his spirit; a wise man delayeth, and reserveth into (the) time (to) coming afterward.

12 A prince that heareth willfully the words of leasing, shall have all his servants unfaithful. (A ruler who willingly listeneth to lies, shall have servants who all be unfaithful./If a ruler willingly listeneth to lies, then all of his servants shall be unfaithful.)

13 A poor man and a lender met themselves; the Lord is [the] lightener of ever either. (A poor person and a lender met together; the Lord lighteneth the burdens of both of them.)

14 If a king deemeth poor men in truth, his throne shall be made steadfast [into] without end. (If a king judgeth the poor with honesty, his throne shall be made secure forever.)

15 A rod and chastising shall give wisdom; but a child, that is left to his own will, shameth his mother.

16 Great trespasses shall be multiplied in the multiplying of wicked men; and just men shall see the fallings of them. (Great trespasses shall be multiplied when the wicked rule; but the righteous shall see the falling of them.)

17 Teach thy son, and he shall comfort thee (and he shall be a comfort to thee); and he shall give delights to thy soul.

18 When prophecy faileth, the people shall be destroyed; but he that keepeth the law, is blessed (but he who obeyeth the Law, is blessed).

19 A servant may not be taught (only) by words; for he understandeth that that thou sayest, and he despiseth to answer. (A servant will not be corrected with words alone; for he understandeth what thou sayest, but he still despiseth to answer thee.)

20 Thou hast seen a man swift to speak; folly shall be hoped more than his amending. (Thou hast seen a person quick to speak; more shall be hoped of from a fool, than for that person's correction.)

21 He that nourisheth his servant delicately from childhood, shall find him (a) rebel afterward. (He who delicately careth for his servant from childhood, shall find him to be rebellious later.)

22 A wrathful man stirreth chidings; and he that is light to have indignation, shall be more inclined to sins. (An angry person stirreth up arguments; and he who is quick to have indignation, shall be more inclined to sin.)

23 Lowness followeth a proud man; and glory shall up-take a meek man of spirit. (Lowness followeth the proud; but honour shall come to those with a humble spirit.)

24 He that taketh part with a thief, hateth his soul; he heareth a man charging greatly, and showeth not. (He who taketh part with a thief, hateth his own soul; he heareth someone telling many lies, but he declareth it not.)

25 He that dreadeth a man, shall fall soon; he that hopeth in the Lord, shall be raised [up]. (He who feareth someone, shall soon fall; but he who hopeth in the Lord, shall be raised up.)

26 Many men seek the face of the prince; and the doom of all men shall go forth of the Lord. (Many people seek favour from a leader; but for all people judgement, or justice, shall come from the Lord.)

27 Just men have abomination of a wicked man; and wicked men have abomination of them, that be in a rightful way. (The righteous have abomination for the wicked; and the wicked have abomination for those who be on the right way.)

Proverbs 29 Commentary

Chapter 29

Verse 1 If God wounds, who can heal? The word of God warns all to flee from the wrath to come, to the hope set before us in Jesus Christ. Verse 2 . The people have cause to rejoice or mourn, as their rulers are righteous or wicked. Verse 3 . Divine wisdom best keeps us from ruinous lusts. Verse 4 . The Lord Jesus is the King who will minister true judgment to the people. Verse 5 . Flatterers put men off their guard, which betrays them into foolish conduct. Verse 6 . Transgressions always end in vexations. Righteous men walk at liberty, and walk in safety. Verse 7 . This verse is applicable to compassion for the distress of the poor, and the unfeeling disregard shown by the wicked. Verse 8 . The scornful mock at things sacred and serious. Men who promote religion, which is true wisdom, turn away the wrath of God. Verse 9 . If a wise man dispute with a conceited wrangler, he will be treated with anger or ridicule; and no good is done. Verse 10 . Christ told his disciples that they should be hated of all men. The just, whom the blood-thirsty hate, gladly do any thing for their salvation. Verse 11 . He is a fool who tells every thing he knows, and can keep no counsel. Verse 12 . One who loves flatterers, and hearkens to slanderers, causes his servants to become liars and false accusers. Verse 13 . Some are poor, others have a great deal of deceitful riches. They meet in the business of this world; the Lord gives to both the comforts of this life. To some of both sorts he gives his grace. Verse 14 . The rich will look to themselves, but the poor and needy the prince must defend and plead for. Verse 15 . Parents must consider the benefit of due correction, and the mischief of undue indulgence. Verse 16 . Let not the righteous have their faith and hope shocked by the increase of sin and sinners, but let them wait with patience. Verse 17 . Children must not be suffered to go without rebuke when they do amiss. Verse 18 . How bare does a place look without Bibles and ministers! and what an easy prey is it to the enemy of souls! That gospel is an open vision, which holds forth Christ, which humbles the sinner and exalts the Saviour, which promotes holiness in the life and conversation: and these are precious truths to keep the soul alive, and prevent it from perishing. Verse 19 . Here is an unprofitable, slothful, wicked servant; one that serves not from conscience, or love, but from fear. Verse 20 . When a man is self-conceited, rash, and given to wrangling, there is more hope of the ignorant and profligate. Verse 21 . Good usage to a servant does not mean indulgence, which would ruin even a child. The body is a servant to the soul; those that humour it, and are over-tender of it, will find it forget its place. Verse 22 . An angry, passionate disposition makes men provoking to one another, and provoking to God. Verse 23 . Only those who humble themselves shall be exalted and established. Verse 24 . The receiver is as bad as the thief. Verse 25 . Many are ashamed to own Christ now; and he will not own them in the day of judgment. But he that trusts in the Lord will be saved from this snare. Verse 26 . The wisest course is, to look to God, and seek the favour of the Ruler of rulers; for every creature is that to us which God makes it to be. Verse 27 . The just man abhors the sins of the wicked, and shuns their company. Christ exposed the wickedness of men, yet prayed for the wicked when they were crucifying him. Hatred to sin in ourselves and others, is a needful branch of the Christian temper. But all that are unholy, have rooted hatred to godliness.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 16

This chapter contains a prophecy of the ruin of the family of Baasha, and an account of his death, 1Ki 16:1-7, and of his son's reigning in his stead two years, who was slain by Zimri one of his captains, 1Ki 16:8-14, and who reigned but seven days, 1Ki 16:15-20, and the people being divided between Tibni and Omri, the party for the latter prevailed, and he was made king, and reigned twelve years, 1Ki 16:21-28, and was succeeded by his son Ahab, a very wicked prince, 1Ki 16:29-33, and the chapter is concluded with the rebuilding of Jericho, 1Ki 16:34.